The Root is the leading online source of national and international news and commentary from an African-American perspective. Founded in 2008, The Root offers a unique take on breaking news, provides solid analysis and presents dynamic multimedia content.

James Ammons, president of Florida A&M University, resigns

By Delece Smith-Barrow

The Florida A&M marching band performs during the half time show of the 2009 Atlanta Football Classic.
(Jason Getz - AP)
Florida A & M University president James Ammons submitted his resignation Wednesday, the Associated Press reports.

Ammons’ decision to step down comes after a tumultuous school year, in which student and drum major Robert Champion died after being hazed. Ammons announced his resignation, which takes effect Oct. 11, the same day Champion’s family sued the school. Champion died in November after he was beaten by fellow band members during a hazing ritual aboard a bus parked outside an Orlando hotel following a football game.

Facebook and Twitter lit up with the announcement of Ammons’ departure.

Comments our editors find particularly useful or relevant are displayed in Top Comments, as are comments by users with these badges: . Replies to those posts appear here, as well as posts by staff writers.

To pause and restart automatic updates, click "Live" or "Paused". If paused, you'll be notified of the number of additional comments that have come in.

Comments our editors find particularly useful or relevant are displayed in Top Comments, as are comments by users with these badges: . Replies to those posts appear here, as well as posts by staff writers.